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Encinitas Beaches:

Encinitas, California is a world of beach fun--six miles of beaches, to be more exact.

Beach Parking: 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Beach Use: 4 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Lifeguard Towers: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. late June to Labor Day

NO: dogs, portable grills, alcohol, smoking or glass allowed

All beaches and viewpoints are available on a first come, first served basis. Special Event and Special Ceremony Permits are available for select locations. A Special Permit is required for surf instruction from Memorial Day " Labor Day. See: ci.encinitas.ca.us

Who's in charge? The City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the landscape maintenance and repair of all park, beach and trail facilities including 47.87 acres of beaches and 40.5 miles of trails.

Encinitas contains some of the most old-fashioned, treasured surfing spots that have been enjoyed by locals and visitors for 100 years -- ever since surfing hit like a storm on the California coast. This "Surfer's Paradise" is located on the North San Diego County Coast. Encinitas contains 6 miles of beaches along a rugged coastline in which cliffs drop to the sea. Beach access nearly always involves descending to a lower beach location from a hillside where houses may sit, or cliffs overlook the Pacific.

Access generally comes via a set of stairs, either wooden or cement, or a sloped dirt path. Many of the beaches are not easily accessible to the disabled, wheelchairs or strollers. Moonlight Beach, however, is easily accessible and at Moonlight Beach there's even a wheelchair ramp allowing visitors to disembark from the paved parking lot onto the beach.

Encinitas spans 21.5 square miles of land heading inland with brand-new shopping centers, San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly known as Quail) and a fantastic golf course, but for tourists, beaches rule!

San Elijo Lagoon on the south end of

Batiquitos Lagoon on the north end

Grandview Beach

Leucadia Beach

D Street Beach, home to The Boneyard at 4th and D Streets

Moonlight Beach: The most popular gathering spot contains volleyball courts, events such as Woodie Gatherings t

Getting there: exit Interstate 5- San Diego Freeway at Encinitas.

Encinitas got its name from Encina Canada, Spanish for "hills of live oaks," which describes what Gaspar de Portola saw in 1769 when he led an expedition through the region. The Spanish Governor of Baja California hoped to create a stronghold in California and did so until Mexico laid claim on the land in the 1800s. That reign was short lived and California became a state of the United States in 1850.  From an 1800's gold rush in nearby Julian to the arrival of celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin in the early 1900's, at least two establishments offer glimpses into the rich Encinitas past. Visit the San Dieguito Historical Museum to learn about Indian tribes that once dominated the region. Or sit in the historic La Paloma Theatre (possibly the first €˜talking' theatre in the rural United States when it opened its doors in 1928) to watch a current movie.  Beaches, flowers, peace and love welcome you to Encinitas. IBM, teeing off for golf and a Starbucks latte in a plastic cup might greet you, as well. Encinitas is a place where diversity rules and is celebrated daily. When the communities of Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Olivenhain and old and new Encinitas incorporated together as the City of Encinitas in 1986, their union on paper did not mean that each would give up its identity and character. Apart from the other communities mentioned, even Encinitas appears to contain separate entities unto itself. There's an established district with beaches and shady, tree-lined streets located on Historic 101. Cute flags with pink butterflies welcome guests and give the impression of a happy, old-fashioned place where businesses such as Encinitas Surfboards have plied their craft since 1975. With an average annual temperature of 72 degrees and sunshine nearly every day, life feels great, no matter what you do in Encinitas. In stark contrast, prepare for a time warp with new plazas, tract housing and a bridge where carts from Encinitas Ranch Golf Course pass over the fast moving, stoplight-driven El Camino Real. From the opulent Self Realization Retreat and Hermitage where world travelers come to meditate and look out over the Pacific Ocean, to the neighborly Moonlight Beach, where lovers look out at the same ocean and snuggle, cheek to cheek, life is beach after beach in Encinitas. If you want waves, Swami's the place. It is located at the southern end of Encinitas and offers world-class surfing. If you want to take off your clothes and soak up rays,is a spot where you can do that. .. Activities for visitors include shopping, eating, sunbathing, swimming, surfing, museums and galleries, meditation and enlightenment and flower power. Once recognized as "the flower capital of the world," and spot where the renowned Ecke poinsettia was introduced in 1923, drop by one of the commercial nurseries open to the public and purchase a traditional poinsettia or be the first on your block with one of the new release plants. (Poinsettias grow rapidly in southern California and the innocent holiday bouquet planted in a yard can take off unexpectedly and become a tree.) Speaking of trees, Quail Botanical Garden claims it has the largest bamboo collection in the US. It is considered one of the best gardens in San Diego County and well worth a small admission fee charged.  Public Transportation: Amtrak and Coaster commuter train from Oceanside to San Diego. Train station in Old Encinitas. North County Transit District. Lindbergh Airport in San Diego. McClellan/Palomar Airport in Carlsbad. Golf courses: Encinitas Ranch Public Golf Course, Aviara Golf Course in Carlsbad, and La Costa Resort in Carlsbad. Parks: San Elijo State Beach, Cardiff State Beach, Swami's Beach, San Elijo Lagoon in Cardiff, Batiquitos Lagoon, Paul Ecke Sports Park, Cardiff Sports Park, Leo Mullen Sports Park, Magdalena Ecke Park (undeveloped), Oakcrest Park, Quail Botanical Gardens, and Stagecoach Park. For more park information Tel: 760-633-2740. Special attractions: Nurseries, Friday Farmers' Market in Old Encinitas  April -- Encinitas Street Fair celebrating the arrival of Spring  July and August -- Sunday concerts at Moonlight Beach  August -- Encinitas Soccer Cup  Fall -- The Rob Machado Surf Classic & Cardiff Beach Fair  September -- Encinitas Day featuring a 5K/1 mile run/walk, live entertainment, and family fun  October -- Oktoberfest celebrates Olivenhain and Encinitas German heritage  Early December -- Fall flower tours Certified Farmer's Market - Del Mar YEAR ROUND Saturday, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; Solana Beach OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL Sunday, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.